Here's some info about the Sarge's Meet-&-Greets (you may have seen them in the event list off to the right) and some tips on area info. :)

Some of it is repetition from other areas (like info on PIR), but some of the info (like the cost of a taxi from the airports) I felt was worth sharing!

So here’s the info you’ve all been waiting for:
SARGE’S MEET & GREET
I’m sure by now you have all heard about this wonderful guy named Sarge. I had an hour-long conversation with
him the other night and he’s just such a great guy. Sarge retired from the Army after 20 years of active service in
1991. He was stationed in Ft. Sheridan in 1981 which is the sister base to Great Lakes. He has lived in the area for
over 30 years and disseminates a wealth of information about what to expect from our visit there and helping to
make the planning easier. The Navy should hire him. (LOL). He also owns several taxis and lives in Gurnee, IL. He
seems to truly care for our Sailors and has dedicated a large part of his life to helping and caring for them, especially
the ones who stay in the Great Lakes for their A School.
Each Thursday (and on Wednesdays when graduations take place on Thursdays, like Nov. 10, 2011) Sarge sponsors
the Meet and Greet for Navy Moms and Dads. Sarge has arranged for us to have the Sundance Saloon for ourselves
starting at 5:00 PM AND ENDING AT 10:00 PM. The place holds over 2,000 people and they provide a DJ and low
cost beverages ($2 dollar beers). FREE FOOD is served at 7:00 PM and, if you’re hungry and can’t wait, you can
order off their bar menu at a very reasonable price. ALSO FREE is transportation to and from the Meet and Greet
from local area hotels (Please see the hotels shown on the map). Transportation from areas other than the free ones is
offered at significantly reduced rates.
At the Meet and Greet there will be a guest speaker from the base who puts out very important information about
what to do, how to save $$ and the best places to eat.
You can call Sarge ANYTIME at 847-212-0246 with any questions. I personally like to text first because I know he is
very busy. He answers you right away. Below are just some of his recommendations.
1. Rental cars. It is a lot cheaper to rent a car locally rather than at the airport. You can get deals from
Enterprise in Libertyville and Waukegan for as little as 30 bucks a day unlimited mileage.
2. Hotels – some of the best deals around are from the Hilton Garden in Mettawa, and the Marriott Hotels and
the Holiday Inns in Waukegan. These are all within 10 -20 minutes from the base and are newer hotels with
all the amenities. Do your own research! Don’t be fooled by pictures. Sarge can only advise. ALWAYS ask
for the military family rates.
3. Taxi rides from the airport can be very expensive. For example if you take a city cab at the airport from
Midway or Milwaukee, it will cost anywhere from $130-$185 to the hotel. From O’Hare it will cost about
$96. Sarge’s drivers only charge $90 from Milwaukee and Midway and only $52 from O’Hare. This is the
cab cost, NOT PER PERSON. Make reservations with him and he will ensure your timely pick-up and
return. He does not charge extra for RUSH HOUR pickups.
4. Dining – Sarge has made special arrangements with Trattoria-Pomigliano restaurant in Libertyville for our
Sailors to receive a free, YES FREE dinner, at the restaurant on Friday, Saturday or Sunday. All we have to
do is mention Sarge, and his friend Nick will give our Sailors anything they want FREE, INCLUDING
STEAKS. The address is 602 North Milwaukee Avenue, Libertyville. Their phone number is 847-247-2200.
Attire is casual and Nick will take good care of all. Their website is www.trattoriapomigliano.com . For
other dining options call Sarge directly. He knows where everything is.
5. Visiting Chicago – DON’T DRIVE – take the Metra. It is very safe and low cost. Parking in the city can
range from $40-$100 for the day. All of this will be explained in more detail at the Meet and Greet. Most are
free.
6. What our Sailors need – for the guys bring their boxer shorts. For the ladies, their nail stuff and polish.
Laptops and cell phones – YES. Sarge will tell us at the Meet and Greet how we can get our Sailors their
stuff even if they are leaving the next morning for A School outside of the Great Lakes.
7. Driving to and from Graduation. Ok-here’s the deal. The graduation ceremony starts at EXACTLY 09:00
hrs and will end at 10:30 hrs. You must have valid (NOT EXPIRED) photo ID’s to enter the Gate. If you have children under 12 you must provide their birth certificates. No matter what you’re driving, you must
have your gate pass, proof of insurance and drivers license. Even if you are military or retired military and
have your vehicle registered on another base, YOU MUST HAVE THE GATE PASS. NO EXCEPTIONS.
The line will be extremely long. The North Chicago Police department will ticket for speeding or block the
intersections. At night they are notorious for issuing speeding tickets on Buckley Road. 30 MPH means 30.
Don’t speed. Sarge will give us additional information at the Meet and Greet on parking at the train station
in lieu of going on the base with cars. Seat belts are the law! Wear them!
8. Photos - No picture taking outside the Graduation Hall is permitted. Simply put, if you take photos of the
outside of the base or the entry gate your camera or cell phone will be confiscated. Inside the hall you can
take all the pictures you want.
9. Smoking – is prohibited on the base and inside your car once you are on the base.
10. Souvenirs – are available at the main NEX located on Green bay road. More details at the Meet and Greet.
I apologize for the long laundry list. There is much more additional information that Sarge will give us and that’s
why I strongly recommend we attend his Meet and Greet at the Sundance Saloon. Almost forgot – children are
welcome since this is a private event.
Please remember that you can call Sarge ANYTIME for any information you may need – including info on how you
can save money on airfare and other goodies. Again, he can be reached anytime at (847) 212-0246. His email address
is johnspadaro@att.net . I know he has helped make my planning to PIR much easier and I’m sure he’s made other
family’s trips a pleasure as well. Personally speaking, I think Sarge’s Meet and Greet is going to be an awesome
experience. Sounds like a great time – free food, music and people all there for the same purpose.
AND LET’S NEVER FORGET THAT HE HAS SERVED OUR COUNTRY. It’s nice to help those who have helped us.
Almost forgot – his name is John Spadaro and hails from Brooklyn, NY.
Important Contact Info:
Sundance Saloon 300-Lakehurst Road, Waukegan, IL (847) 887-0858
Trattoria Restaurant – 602 N. Milwaukee Ave, Libertyville, Illinois www.trattoriapomigliano.com
Sarge – (cell) 847-212-0246 (home) 847-855-0246
Navy Web SITE www.bootcamp.navy.mil

Here's the link to the pdf of the info if you'd like to bookmark it in your browser: https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1799206875?prof...